video; un: seeingtheworld

[schoolingfish]

[When Luca comes onto the screen, it looks like he's been crying.]

So...um...I just wanted to let everyone know that Varian and Fern are gone. They...probably turned back into squids. Which...I mean, they're still together, so it's fine. They're fine. They're happy out there in the ocean, doing squid things, and really it's not like it's the first time I've realized I'm going to be separated from the people I care about, so...

[After all, when he went to school he was separated from Alberto and his family, expecting to not see them until the summer. Then he ended up here and realized he might very well never see them again. Still, having a feeling of loss strike him like this even in his new life when he's still longing for the people he loves from his previous one to show up...it hits him hard, and he looks like he might start crying again.]

So I'm fine, too.

[This is obviously a lie.]

That's all. I just thought everyone should know.

[He ends the recording right there.]

Comments

[VIDEO] UN: [username not set]

[demonicbeauty]

[Ariadne's face is completely ashen when she replies.

Honestly, she has the look of someone who's seen a ghost. Ironically, a metaphor she would never actually understand.

Suffice to say, she's close to tears.]

Oh...

video: un; apparition (private)

[unphase]

[she doesn't know the names of the people who were gone. however, she does know Luca and he seems like he's taking things hard. despite the claim of being fine]

I'm afraid I didn't know either of them, but if they were friends of yours, I'm sure they're very good people. And I'm so very sorry for your loss. Would you like a little company or would you rather we talk like this?

[imaglyphwitch]

You're not fine.

[BOND, Luca. She could feel how bad it was for him. Granted, she was feeling pretty crushed too, so that went both ways. Both of them were feeling that loss, likely in similar but completely different reasons].

It hurts. I'M hurting. But don't say you're fine. It's ok that we're not.

We lived with them. We're allowed not to be good.

video; un: darth imperius

[drawsghosts]

[He just got here and he didn't know either of them, or who this kid is, but Talwyn hates seeing sad children.

His voice is surprisingly gentle for someone who probably looks kinda scary.]

I'm sorry to hear that.

un: agentmothman

[zib]

[Zib has heard the news from Luz already, but upon seeing Luca on the screen, he finds himself feeling sad all over again about the whole thing. He doesn't particularly like seeing Luca look so distraught either.]

I'm going to miss them too. They were really good friends to me.

[...]

Hey, Luca? Would it be okay if I came to see you?

video (un: falcogrice)

[grice]

[ that doesn't look fine. falco's met varian, been on good terms with fern, even had his gift, still. always with him, at his waist. falco gives a brief wave, but there's no smile to offer. perhaps only sympathy and empathy. ]

You can say it hurts when it does, Luca.

private video; un: ushiromiya

[entreats]

[ Well, this sure is awkward, given that the first time they spoke Ange was looking a whole lot younger than she is looking right now, and then the next time he had been so heavily corrupted that Ange doesn't assume he remembers her from either of those encounters in the first place.

.. still, it feels bad to just ignore this when Luca is so obviously lying here. Ange has the good grace to make this message private, since she's sure the other has a reason for not telling the truth on the network, but still.. ]

You don't have to say you're fine when you're not, you know.

[ Yes, this is the pot calling the kettle black!! But look, she's trying to get better about it herself as well, okay. So that clearly makes this valid. ]

[schoolingfish]

I'm...I'm sorry. I know this is really bad news. But...at least they're still together? They're probably swimming around in the ocean holding tentacles.

[demonicbeauty]

[Ariadne takes a deep breath. And nods slightly.]

You're right. They're together. That's...that's what matters...

[schoolingfish]

Thanks. Company would be nice.

[schoolingfish]

I...

[He realizes he really can't argue with that.]

I know. It just seemed like it would hurt less if I told myself it was fine.

Re: video; un: darth imperius

[schoolingfish]

Thanks.

[Thankfully, between not being human himself and, frankly, having seen and being related to much scarier looking people, Talwyn's looks don't phase Luca.]

[schoolingfish]

Yeah. I'd really like if you came to see me.

[He needs all the comfort he can get right now, and it helps that Zib is probably feeling all the same things.]

[schoolingfish]

I know, I just...I guess I thought it would hurt less if I told myself it was fine.

Private

[schoolingfish]

Yeah, that's what everyone's saying. I guess it's really obvious what I'm feeling, huh?

[Well, aside from his words, it's not like he did much to hide it. He, of course, doesn't recognize her, but figures she's just one of the many people offering condolences because he's an upset kid even if they don't know him.]

[schoolingfish]

Right.

Even if it still hurts knowing I'm not going to be seeing them anymore.

[Because he feels like he has to admit that. Sure, they're fine. They're probably happy, but...in the end, he can't deny that no matter how they're probably feeling, he's upset.]

[demonicbeauty]

[She looks up at the camera, eyes filling with...maybe some understanding.]

You know what, Luca? I'm going to miss them too.

[grice]

It won’t hurt less. I don’t think anything can do that . . .

[ falco then realizes that that is probably a huge downer on things that’re already down as is, but it’s a truth that’s better known than avoided. how many friends have come and gone, and how many to this day did he miss so much that it hurt? dead or gone home or otherwise— ]

It just feels different, after.

[unphase]

All right. Shoot me your address and I'll be over as soon as possible, I promise.

[zib]

[It doesn't take very long for this to turn into an action thread Zib to show up at Luca's door in Disaster House, knocking to let the other know that he's arrived.]

Hey, it's me. Can I come in?

[drawsghosts]

Does that happen a lot? People just vanishing?

[imaglyphwitch]

It won't. As someone who's tried that before, trust me. It's a bad idea, especially if you try to do it in this world.

Do you want to talk about it?

[schoolingfish]

Yeah.

A lot of people are. They were really nice and had a lot of friends.

[schoolingfish]

Thanks.

[He sends her the address.]

[schoolingfish]

Yeah. I think I do.